If you ever find yourself staring into the fridge, wondering what to cook, you’re not alone! We all have those moments when we’re just...

This soup has always been a staple in my kitchen. Green lentils simmer with onions, garlic, and tomatoes until tender, then I add erişte ...

If you're on the hunt for a quick, comforting meal bursting with flavor, look no further than creamy lemon chicken orzo. This dish brings...

Garlic shrimp tomato linguine is a straightforward pasta made with pantry tomatoes, garlic, and shrimp cooked directly in the sauce. It comes together in about 30 minutes and suits both an easy weeknight dinner and a table meant for sharing. The sauce stays light and uncomplicated, letting the tomatoes do the work while the shrimp finish cooking in the pan. With just a handful of ingredients, it’s a simple, satisfying meal you can rely on. Ingredients 1 medium onion, finely c

Kadınbudu Köfte is one of those classic Turkish dishes that quietly holds its place in everyday home cooking. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply familiar. Made with a mix of cooked and raw ground beef, plus a small amount of rice, these patties are soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, and incredibly satisfying. This is the kind of recipe that’s often prepared ahead of time, shaped calmly at the kitchen counter, and fried just before serving. It works equally well for a si

This pasta came out of a very practical place. Wanting a creamy, comforting dinner that everyone at the table would eat, without turning vegetables into a separate negotiation. The vegetables are there, but quietly. Cauliflower and carrots are blended into the sauce until they disappear, leaving behind a smooth, familiar texture and a mild, comforting flavor. Nothing tastes “healthy,” nothing needs explaining. It’s just a bowl of pasta that happens to be doing a bit more in t

Potato salad has always had a place in my kitchen. It shows up next to grilled fish, alongside meat, or on its own when I want something simple and familiar. I learned it early, adjusted it over the years, and kept it close to how I actually like to eat. This is the version I make most often. Olive oil instead of mayonnaise, lemon for freshness, herbs for balance. It rests, settles, and tastes better after a few hours, which is why I usually make it ahead and keep it in the f

This salmon in the oven is on repeat at our house. Almost once a week, sometimes more. It’s the dinner I fall back on when the day has been full and I still want something decent on the table, without turning cooking into a project. I’ve made it so many times that I don’t really think about it anymore. The oven goes on, the salmon goes in, and while it bakes I tidy up or get the rest of dinner ready. It comes out flaky and juicy, lightly lemony, and familiar in the best way.

Chicken wings are one of those foods that never really get old. Simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser. This oven-baked version is the one I make at home when I want something comforting without standing by the stove or dealing with splattering oil. The marinade is easy and familiar. Yogurt keeps the wings juicy, tomato paste adds depth, and a few pantry spices do the rest. Baked in a hot oven, they come out golden, slightly sticky, and full of flavor. Perfect for a r

This version of Caesar Salad is lighter and more everyday-friendly, made without raw eggs or Worcestershire sauce, and with ingredients that are easy to find. The dressing is creamy thanks to Greek yogurt, balanced with lemon, Parmesan, and a small splash of soy sauce for depth. It keeps that familiar Caesar character without feeling heavy. Add crisp romaine and homemade croutons, and you have a salad that works just as well on its own as it does next to grilled chicken, fish

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, Mücver is a delightful Turkish zucchini fritter. Quick and easy to make, these fritters are packed with fresh herbs and feta. They make a great appetizer, side dish, or a light meal when served with yogurt. With a preparation time of just 30 minutes, they're the perfect addition to any table. Ingredients 2 medium zucchinis, grated 1 teaspoon salt (to draw out moisture) 2 eggs 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 125g feta cheese, crumb

Creamy pasta is one of those things everyone loves, but I don’t always want something heavy. This cauliflower Alfredo is my lighter, everyday version. The sauce is smooth and comforting, but instead of cream doing all the work, cauliflower takes the lead quietly in the background. It’s also one of those recipes where vegetables disappear in the best way. Even if cauliflower isn’t a favorite on its own, blended into a sauce like this, it just becomes part of the creaminess. I

There are evenings when I want the comfort of a proper stew but don’t have hours to let it simmer on the stove. This is the recipe I reach for on those days. The pressure cooker does the slow work for you, turning beef tender in a short time, while mushrooms and carrots soften into a rich, savory sauce. It fills the kitchen with a familiar smell and feels grounding by the time you sit down. A small spoon of butter stirred in at the end gives the stew a gentle richness that ma

Baba ganoush is one of those mezze dishes I keep coming back to. Smoky eggplant, tahini, lemon, and olive oil, nothing complicated, just a few good ingredients handled properly. It’s the kind of dip that quietly anchors a table, whether it’s part of a bigger meze spread or just something to scoop up with warm bread while dinner comes together. I usually make it when I have eggplants that need using or when I want something simple but satisfying on the table. It works just as

Garlic, lemon, olive oil. These are flavors I come back to again and again, especially when I want something simple but full of life. This chicken is juicy, lightly browned, and bright with lemon, paired with a cool, creamy dill sauce that balances everything out. It’s the kind of dish that feels at home on a Mediterranean table. I usually serve it with rice or roasted vegetables, something to catch the sauce, and that’s dinner sorted. Ingredients For the Chicken: 2 chicken b

Piyaz is one of those salads that shows up quietly on the table and somehow works with everything. It’s simple, built around white beans, but never boring. A good olive oil, lemon, sumac, and a handful of fresh herbs are really all it needs. I usually make it as a side for grilled meat or fish, but it also holds its own as a light lunch. It’s filling without being heavy, fresh without trying too hard, and easy to pull together with pantry ingredients. Ingredients 2 cups white

This is one of those pasta dishes I come back to when I want something creamy and comforting, but still built around vegetables. Roasted red peppers give the sauce its sweetness and depth, and once blended with cream, they turn into a smooth, mellow sauce that works especially well for kids. It’s simple, quick, and flexible. You can use any pasta shape you have, and the whole thing comes together while the peppers roast in the oven. A quiet weeknight dinner that doesn’t feel

Warm, creamy, and deeply caramelized on top, San Sebastian Cheesecake is one of those desserts that feels luxurious without being complicated. It is known for its signature burnt surface and soft, custard-like center. This is my slightly less sweet version made with Philadelphia cream cheese. It bakes tall, cracks beautifully, and settles into the creamiest texture once chilled. It is the kind of cheesecake you slice straight from the fridge for family, guests, or quietly for

This is the kind of soup I make when the weather turns cold and I want something simple and comforting. Tomato soup doesn’t need much to be good. A handful of ingredients, one pot, and a quiet simmer is usually enough. I like this version because it’s quick, smooth, and familiar. It works just as well for lunch as it does for a light dinner, especially when there’s bread or a grilled cheese on the side. The melted mozzarella on top isn’t traditional, but it makes the bowl fee

Mercimek köftesi is a staple on Turkish mezze tables and one of the most popular vegan dishes in Turkish home cooking. Made with red lentils, fine bulgur, herbs, and warm spices, these soft lentil patties are filling, flavorful, and completely plant-based. They’re shaped by hand, served cold, and almost always eaten wrapped in crisp lettuce with a squeeze of lemon. No frying, no baking, and no last-minute cooking. That’s part of the appeal. Mercimek köftesi works just as well